Differential Autonomic Response to Acupuncture at Wood and Metal of Five-Shu Acupoints

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22916690

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The study
examined differential autonomic nervous responses to acupuncture
stimulation at the wood points ([Formula: see text]) and the metal
points ([Formula: see text]) among the five-shu points of the
Pericardium and Triple Energizer Meridian. Design: This was a
crossover study of different acupuncture points with randomized order.
Subjects: The study subjects were 30 healthy female volunteers
(22.8±2.6 years old). Interventions: The acupuncture sessions were
carried out over four sessions at 2-5-day intervals at the same time of
day with one of the four acupoints: the wood distal point (Zhongchong,
PC9), metal distal point (Zhongzhu, TE3), wood proximal point (Jianshi,
PC5), and metal proximal point (Guanchong, TE1) on the left hand. After 5
minutes' rest (Pre-Acup), acupuncture needles were inserted,
manipulated promptly, and were retained for 20 minutes followed by 5
minutes' rest (Post-Acup). Main outcome measures: Heart rate
variability, skin conductance response, respiration rate, and peripheral
skin temperature were measured. Results: For the normalized
low-frequency band of heart rate variability, there was a statistically
significant increase during Acup and Post-Acup at the PC9 and TE3 wood
points compared with Pre-Acup. Statistically significant decreases for
PC5 and TE1 were evident at the metal points. Skin conductance response
and peripheral skin temperature, which are indicative of sympathetic
activity and blood flow, respectively, were significantly induced at PC9
during Acup compared to Pre-Acup. Conclusions: The wood points PC9
and TE3 increase sympathetic activity; and the metal points TE1 and PC5
increase the parasympathetic activity. The effect of acupuncture on the
autonomic nervous system differs between the wood and the metal points.